Polarimetric Radars

Radar picture processing has little real value unless supported by high quality input data. The Sea-Hawk technology represents the high end of radar sensor performance. This ultrasound-like radar image testifies to a dynamic that is never associated with standard radar screens.There are at least two clear preconditions for achieving such a dynamic: firstly, that the display unit is able to show images at 12-16 bit depth, and secondly, that signals received from the radar sensor have at least the same dynamic, particularly in terms of range. The secret of the Sea-Hawk technology is based on the processing and different modelling of signals generated by highly advanced antennas. Thanks to these, Sea-Hawk is able to exploit detection capabilities that traditional radar simply cannot compete with. As a result, the Sea-Hawk radar can detect even small objects, at distances and in weather conditions well beyond the capabilities of ordinary radar systems.

Tromsø city ”by night” a 16-bit processed picture

For instance, Sea-Hawk can detect a man overboard or divers at great distances. A periscope running through the water and breaking the surface can normally be easily spotted, even if the periscope is up for just brief periods. Small high-speed vessels such as jetskis are relatively easy to detect.

Every single wave is clearly detected on the screen and will in some cases show up clearly and be recognisable among all the other vessels. The Sea-Hawk technology provides the user with a very good picture of ice, allowing leads and other structures in the ice surface to be distinguished. Sea-Hawk excels at showing oil on the sea surface, even as far out as the radar horizon itself. These capabilities make Sea-Hawk highly flexible, and the system has further applications not described here. The applications and potential can be extended even further when Sea-Hawk is used in conjunction with coherent technology. In other words, the radar sensor is especially well suited to navigation and difficult-difficult- to-detect objects, and consequently also as a sensor in tactical weapons control systems.

Important advantages

Top of the range detection performance, also in rough weather conditions like white breaking sea and heavy precipitation.

High performance dynamics (i.e. its ability to detect and follow fast and smallest objects/movements at the same time as detecting large objects)